ST. PAUL - It was a day filled with emotion and celebration, as the first in-person graduation ceremony in two years took place at University nuhelot’įne thaiyots’į nistameyimâkanak Blue Quills (UnBQ).
Two years ago, the school had planned to celebrate its 50th anniversary, but those plans were put on hold as the COVID-19 pandemic began.
"I'm feeling a lot of emotion," said UnBQ president Sherri Chisan, addressing the crowd on Thursday afternoon. "We've been waiting for this day... I want to thank you all for choosing Blue Quills, because without students there is no Blue Quills."
She also thanked students for sharing their journey with staff, and noted that staff learn as much from students as the students learn in their programs.
"We stand here, having been here for more than 50 years, and we think about the ones who will stand here in another 50 years... It's such a beautiful day to be here."
Chisan also acknowledged the staff at the university who helped make the graduation event happen.
"We'll keep doing things that nobody thought we could do, and that's all of us," said Chisan, before giving the podium to the day's keynote speaker.
Mallory Jackson Yawnshwe then addressed the graduates and other attendees. She recalled how she very much grew up at Blue Quills, attending the school's daycare when her mom was working toward her own educational goals.
"This was my beginning. Our way. When I think about this school, this is what I think about... (it's) where I watched my mother and father work so hard to give my sisters and I the tools we needed to achieve... the good life."
Sixteen months ago, Yawnshwe embarked on a new journey. And that journey has allowed her to embark on the legacy of greatness. Prior to the pandemic, Yawnshwe had participated in what she described as her passion project. She consulted on film projects, community gatherings, promoted story telling, and ensured the proper representation of Indigenous people was happening within these projects.
Then, last January Yawnshwe wrote a business plan for a start-up contest offered by a company called New Relationship Trust. Not long after submitting to the content, she found out she was one of the winners and received a $5,000 grant.
And so began Indigenous Box Inc.
"I got to work with the help of my 13 -year-old daughter, and my four-year-old as well. We were working day and night," recalls Yawnshwe. Through reaching out to entrepreneurs, sampling and buying products, developing a marketing plan, and hiring people to help out in a number of ways, she and her family have been able to build Canada's newest discovery subscription box and corporate gift service.
Right away, people were interested in the product. The company launched on March 14 - Yawnshwe's late kookum's birthday.
"It was a hit... we sold out quickly and quickly restocked. And that sold out again in 24 hours."
Yawnshwe says she had started to reclaim a space in commerce and found a way to elevate Indigenous people.
"Indigenous Box is about economic development. It's not about vertical growth but lateral, strengthening supply chains and bringing as many people as possible with us." It's about visibility and representation, says Yawnshwe.
Through her work with Indigenous Box Inc, Yawnshwe has watched entrepreneurs go from selling products on a smaller scale at Farmer's Markets to having their products sold across the country.
"We watch our customers become their customers."
Yawnshwe further explained that "Indigenous Box is about connection between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Canadians, or strengthening ties between different Indigenous nations across Canada."
She wanted to share three steps that helped her create a foundation to live a good life. The first was to establish a positive, productive problem-solving mindset. Once you establish that mindset, you need to protect it, she explained.
The second step is to work at building relationships and community. With this in mind, Yawnshwe was able to take a $5,000 grant and turn it into $1.7 million in just 16 months. This in turn means that hundreds of thousands of dollars have gone back into the pockets of Indigenous entrepreneurs.
"Your net worth is your network," said Yawnshwe.
The third step is "big action."
"Take time to create something worth talking about, and then talk about it," explained Yawnshwe. And, if something doesn't work, then try again.
A student address by Darris Wacanta-Halfe with the social work diploma program, also took place on Thursday.
"I'm very honoured to be asked to share sone of my experience here at Blue Quills," said Wacanta-Halfe. He acknowledged that the post-secondary institution has much to offer and the school has changed lives.
Working in the oil field and doing shift work, the university was willing to modify a program to allow Wachante-Halfe to go to school, which he was very grateful for.
"It's a good day. Creator blessed us with a good day," he said.
Jessie Sylvestre also offered a student address on Thursday afternoon.
Honourary doctorate and awards
A few years ago, when planning for the university's 50th anniversary the idea to present Buffy Sainte-Marie with an honourary doctorate. The pandemic hit and gave those involved two years to work through the process.
"She has inspired so may people," said Chisan. "She's had an exceptional career - over seven decades of inspiring people not only with her music, but with her philanthropy, her gift giving, as an educator," stated Chisan.
Due to technical difficulties experienced on Thursday, Sainte-Marie wasn't available to do an acceptance speech, but the university was happy to honour Sainte-Marie with the title and a gift.
A number of awards were also handed out, including the Richard Wagamese Award presented to Joi Arcand, and the Mike Steinhauer Memorial Award presented to Kerry White and Emery Delver.
A list of 19 program awards were also handed out to individual students.
